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I was denied by my insurance because it wasn't a part of my contract. I'm still going to attempt to appeal it, because physically I really need this surgery. The amount of daily pain I'm in is insane. Heaviest I've ever been. Has anyone appealed after denial & got an approval of it wasn't apart of your contract? Also, I'm looking into possibly self-paying my physician with a large sum down payment & financing the rest if possible. Or just going to Mexico with the 5k I had already saved towards possible reconstruction surgery I would need after my weight loss. Any advice or insight would be deeply appreciated!

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I don't want to be overly discouraging, but I will say I have never heard of anyone being approved if bariatric surgery is not covered by your insurance at all. The fact that you need the surgery seems to be irrelevant -- it is either in the contract, or it isn't. But appealing won't cost you anything so I say go for it, but keep working on those back up plans. Many people go to Mexico for their surgery and do fantastic. That was my back-up plan if my insurance denied me, I even had a surgeon picked out and felt very comfortable with the option. Good luck to you going forward!

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I have heard of a few people that have been successful, but ONLY because the insurance company misled them and told them they were covered for the surgery for a period of around six months or so before discovering the mistake (while they were still in the preop phase).

If the insurance company hasn't done anything like that, I would say it really isn't an avenue to put any hope into. Your "need" has nothing to do with it. Insurance is a business; it's not about healthcare.

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As someone who works in the insurance industry, if it isn't covered by the plan you or your work purchased, it isn't covered. I can count on one hand the times we have extended coverage when it wasn't there and every single time was because we made a mistake and informed the person they would be covered only to later turn around and discover that we were wrong and misread the policy. Aside from that, I can't imagine it being overturned and if it was it would be a CEO decision. I don't want to be discouraging :( but the likelihood is slim to none. Bariatric Pal has a great program in Mexico that a TON of people have posted about having great success with. Good luck on your journey!

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Actually, I was denied because my insurance wants 12 consecutive months of nutrition visits. I don't know if it's worth appealing, but I will try. I've done numerous medically supervised diets over the last 3 years, maybe not all back to back but I've done them. My surgeon is actually trying to get our policy changed, since our insurance is through the actual hospital I would be having the surgery at. I'm in Rhode Island & apparently my insurance is following the guidelines that BCBS of California has put in place. I did read online that it is possible to get the denial overturned with an appeal.

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I didn't know it was because of the 12 consecutive months, until I received the letter in the mail, I must have understood when I called into the insurance & when she initially told me I was denied.

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Ahhhh that makes more sense then! I had to do 12 months with mine, so if you do have to I can say it actually allowed me to really prepare my mind and body but I can appreciate the anxiousness to do it! Good luck!

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    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 0 replies
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    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
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